NORFOLK, Va. — A judge has given convicted killer Cola Beale another life sentence for the murder of his cousin in Norfolk.
In 2022, Beale went on a killing spree and led police on a days-long manhunt. He killed his cousin, Downing McLean, in Norfolk on Mar. 28, shooting him in the mouth and back. It took police at least two days to find the body. In days prior, Beale also killed his girlfriend, Czavier Hill, and his father figure, Clifton Baxter.
On Mar. 31, 2022, he was arrested in Hampton.
Last month, Virginia Beach Circuit Court Judge James C. Lewis sentenced Beale to two life terms without the possibility of parole, one life term, 62 years, and 12 months for the murders of his girlfriend and his father figure.
In court on Friday, Beale's defense team requested Beale be given a 35-year sentence, saying his cousin knew about the other two murders. "If he hadn't been killed, he would have been a co-defendant," said the defense. They also asked for the sentence to be served concurrently with the other three.
However, prosecutors argued Beale killed three people in cold blood. They said, "The only place safe for Mr. Beale is in confinement for the rest of his life. He's unable to be in the community."
Judge Jamilah LeCruise agreed. She told the court Beale has 21 felony convictions as an adult. "You killed in cold blood," she said.
No family members attended the hearing and no witnesses spoke for either side. McLean's mother submitted an impact statement for the judge to read.
Charles McAllister is a close friend of the McLean family and met Beale a few months before the murders. He told 13News Now, "It’s tragic for me, and I’m not even a part of the family. I’m just a longtime friend. [It's] not an easy pill to swallow."
McAllister said he wasn't surprised family members chose not to attend. "It’s hard to take when your nephew kills your son, so that’s probably one of the reasons why. They probably didn’t want to face the whole situation again."
After the sentencing, Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney Ramin Fatehi released a statement, saying, “Justice was served today. Mr. Beale murdered multiple people, all family. He said he would have killed again. We have a duty to protect the community, and we did our duty. Our hearts go out to the families who will never get their loved ones back.”
Earlier this year, Beale was found guilty of killing his cousin after a two-day trial. In a jailhouse interview with 13News Now, he confessed to the murders. Beale said, "I went right in the kitchen and shot him right in the head. He didn’t drop, he just kept moving in circles, so I shot him in the back so he would hit the ground."
Beale also faces five additional years in prison for a gun charge. According to Fatehi, by default, Beale's sentences will be served consecutively. He'll be transferred to a state prison.